Elevated risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Comforts FOR BABY Purified Water with Fluoride recall: Potential mold contamination - Talaromyces penicillium

Recall published 8+ years ago

Potential mold contamination - Talaromyces penicillium

The hazard: Microbial contamination

A micro-organism that should not be in this product was found in it, which is why the batch is being pulled rather than quietly reworked.

What the notice says: In general, inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in some people.

Why it matters: The product was found, or is suspected, to carry a harmful micro-organism. The agency notice names the specific organism and that detail matters, because the illness it causes and the people most at risk differ from one to the next.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

Most foodborne infections cause stomach cramps, diarrhoea, nausea and sometimes fever, starting anywhere from hours to weeks after exposure depending on the organism. See a doctor for a high fever, bloody diarrhoea, vomiting that stops you keeping liquids down, diarrhoea lasting more than three days, or signs of dehydration. Infants, pregnant people, adults over 65 and anyone immunocompromised should seek advice earlier.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Published
December 3, 2017
Risk level
Elevated risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Comforts
Product type
Beverages
Distribution
Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
Sold at
Food 4 Less, Kroger
UPC codes
041260375972

Products covered by this recall

Comforts FOR BABY Purified Water with Fluoride

What the company announced

On this page:

What is the Problem and What is Being Done About It?

What are the Symptoms of Exposure to Molds and to Talaromyces penicillium?

Who is at Risk?

What Specific Products are in Question?

What Do Retails Need To Do?

What Do Consumers Need To Do?

Who Should be Contacted?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting the public to a recall of Comforts FOR BABY Purified Water with Fluoride with certain sell by dates, sold by Kroger in various affiliated stores, due to potential mold contamination.

What is the Problem and What is Being Done About It?

The Kroger Company has recalled Comforts FOR BABY Purified Water with Fluoride Added 1 GAL (3.78 L) with sell by dates from 4/26/2018 to 10/10/2018, after receiving complaints about mold in the product. Testing by Kroger has identified the mold as Talaromyces penicillium. The water is sold in clear containers, but the mold may not be visible with the naked eye.

The FDA is issuing this consumer alert to reach parents and caregivers who may have bought the product, which is intended for infants.

The products were distributed to Kroger stores, including Food 4 Less, Jay C, Jay C Food Plus, Kroger, Kroger Marketplace, Owen’s, Payless Super Market, and Ruler stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. The Kroger Company has instructed its stores to remove the recalled products.

The recalled products are labeled with the UPC Code 0 41260 37597 2 and the plant code 51-4140. The labels also state DISTRIBUTED BY THE KROGER CO, CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202.

The recalled products have sell by dates from 4/26/2018 – 10/10/2018.

If you have purchased this water return it to the store for a refund.

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What are the Symptoms of Exposure to Molds and to Talaromyces penicillium?

In general, inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in some people. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash. Allergic reactions to molds are common and can happen immediately after touching or inhaling mold spores, or later. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are also allergic to mold. Molds can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs, even in people who aren’t allergic to them.

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Who is at Risk?

Drinking water or other products contaminated with Talaromyces penicillium may affect infants who have HIV or other conditions that cause immune compromise. Consult your health care professional if you believe your infant may be affected.

What Specific Products are in Question?

Comforts FOR BABY Purified Water with Fluoride Added

1 GAL (3.78 L)

UPC Code: 0 41260 37597 2

Plant Code: 514140

DISTRIBUTED BY THE KROGER CO., CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202

The recalled products have sell by dates from 4/26/2018 – 10/10/2018.

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What Do Retailers Need To Do?

These products are sold exclusively by Kroger and affiliated stores, which have been instructed by Kroger Company to remove the products from shelves.

What Do Consumers Need To Do?

If you bought this product, do not use it, return it to the store for a refund.

Drinking water or other products contaminated with Talaromyces penicillium may affect infants who have HIV or other conditions that cause immune compromise. These individuals may become infected and this may lead to serious health consequences. Consult your health care professional if you believe your infant may be affected.

Who Should be Contacted?

The FDA encourages consumers with questions about food safety to call 1-888-SAFEFOOD Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern time, or to consult the fda.gov website: http://www.fda.gov .

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Consumers

1-888-SAFEFOOD

Reproduced from the company announcement posted on fda.gov. Links and contact forms in the original are not repeated here; the official notice below has them.

Check your product

The notice names 3 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

UPC / barcode

Read the twelve digits under the barcode on the package.

  • 041260375972

Best-by / use-by date

Printed beside the lot code, not on the price sticker.

  • 4/26/2018

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 3.78 L

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Company recall announcements notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Contamination

Comforts — A micro-organism that should not be in this product was found in it, which is why the batch is being pulled rather than quietly reworked.

  1. Stop eating it and keep it separate from other food.
  2. If anyone who ate it is unwell, mention the recall and the date by name when you call a clinician.
  3. Bag and bin it, or return it to the store for a refund.
  4. Clean and sanitise the fridge shelf, container or surface it was stored on.

How to get your money back

Food recalls carry a full refund, and in the United States you usually do not need the receipt or the packaging.

  • Take the product, or your photo of the label, to the customer service desk of the store where you bought it. Nearly every national grocer refunds recalled food on the spot.
  • Bought it online? Open the order in your account and use the refund option; marketplace sellers are required to honour a federal recall.
  • If the store refuses, contact the recalling company using the details on this page. The firm, not the shop, carries the cost of a recall.
  • If you have a loyalty card, the retailer can look the purchase up in your history — Kroger, Costco and Walmart all do this routinely.

Remedy named in the notice: If you have purchased this water return it to the store for a refund.

Company contact: Kroger Company

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Company recall announcements record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Comforts beverages recalled?

Potential mold contamination - Talaromyces penicillium In general, inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in some people.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: UPC 041260375972; best-by date 4/26/2018. If the code on your package is not on that list, your unit is outside the recall.

What should I do with it right now?

Stop eating it and keep it separate from other food.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: If you have purchased this water return it to the store for a refund.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and others.

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